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Full Idea
There is no greater impediment to the advancement of knowledge than the ambiguity of words.
Gist of Idea
The ambiguity of words impedes the advancement of knowledge
Source
Thomas Reid (Essays on Intellectual Powers 1: Preliminary [1785], 1)
Book Ref
Reid,Thomas: 'Inquiry and Essays', ed/tr. Beanblossom /K.Lehrer [Hackett 1983], p.129
A Reaction
He means that ambiguity leads to long pointless disagreements.
23629 | The ambiguity of words impedes the advancement of knowledge [Reid] |
23630 | Only philosophers treat ideas as objects [Reid] |
23632 | Similar effects come from similar causes, and causes are only what are sufficient for the effects [Reid] |
23633 | Many truths seem obvious, and point to universal agreement - which is what we find [Reid] |